Growing system

ABSTRACT

A growing system and/or plant support structure may include one or more feet supporting at least one or more uprights, on which a plurality of plants and/or grow boards for growing plants may be positioned. A nutrient delivery system may be positioned between opposing uprights to provide nutrient supply to a root zone of plants, which nutrient delivery system may be positioned adjacent each opposing upright in an interior chamber of the plant support structure. A light system may be positioned between two adjacent plant support structures such that it simultaneously provides light to the exterior surface of the two plant support structures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims the filingpriority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. Nos. 62/031,668 filed on Jul.31, 2014; 62/032,452 filed on Aug. 1, 2014; 62/050,075 filed on Sep. 12,2014; and 62/174,940 filed on Jun. 12, 2015, all of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agriculture, and morespecifically to hydroponic and/or aeroponic methods and apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of various aspects of a growingsystem.

FIG. 2 provides a side view of the growing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a detailed view of an upper portion of the growingsystem shown in FIGS. 1 & 2.

FIG. 4 provides an end view of the growing system shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 provides a detailed view of a lower portion of the growing systemshown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a lower portion of the growingsystem shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 provides another perspective view of a lower portion of thegrowing system shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of an intermediate portion of thegrowing system shown in FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 provides an end view of the intermediate portion shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a top portion of the growingsystem shown in FIGS. 1-9.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of another plant support structure.

FIG. 12 provides an end view of the plant support structure shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 provides a side view of the plant support structure shown inFIGS. 11 & 12.

FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of another plant support structure.

FIG. 15 provides a detailed view of a lower portion of a plant supportstructure like those shown in FIGS. 11-14.

FIG. 16 provides a detailed view of a portion of a plant supportstructure like those shown in FIGS. 11-15.

FIG. 17A provides a detailed view of a grow board engaged with a railadjacent a bottom edge of the grow board.

FIG. 17B provides a detailed view of a grow board engaged with a railadjacent a top edge of the grow board.

FIG. 17C provides a detailed view of a pan and two adjacent intermediaterails.

FIG. 18 provides a detailed view of various aspects of a board frameadjacent the top end thereof.

FIG. 19A provides a schematic end view of a nutrient supply system.

FIG. 19B provides a schematic end view of another nutrient supplysystem.

FIG. 20A provides an end view of two growing system positioned adjacentone another.

FIG. 20B provides a detailed end view of a growing system adjacent afoot of the growing system.

FIG. 20C provides a detailed view of a portion of the foot shown in FIG.20B FIG. 20D provides a detailed view of another portion of the footshown in FIGS. 20B & 20C.

FIG. 20E provides a detailed perspective view of the foot shown in FIGS.20B-20D.

FIG. 21A provides an end view of a growing system with a light systempositioned adjacent a plant support structure.

FIG. 21B provides a detailed view of a portion of the foot shown in FIG.21A.

FIG. 22A provides an end view of the light system shown in FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22B provides a top view of a portion of the light system shown inFIG. 22A.

FIG. 22C provides a side view of a portion of the light system shown inFIGS. 22A & 22B.

FIG. 22D provides another side view of a portion of the light systemshown in FIGS. 22A-22C.

FIG. 23A provides an end view of a growing system with a horizontallymoveable light system positioned in an aisle.

FIG. 23B provides a detailed view of one aisle and light system fromFIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C provides a detailed view of a bottom portion of the aisle andlight system from FIGS. 23A & 23B.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Element Description Element Number Growing system 10 Grow board 12 Plantsupport structure 14 Aisle 16 Foot 20 Tab 21 Base 22 Track 23 Angledmember 24 Upright member 25 Gutter 26 Lateral member 28 Tray 30 Trough32 Aperture  32a Lip 34 Side pane 36 Board frame 40 Upright 41 Uprightbase  41a Bottom rail 42 Cross member 43 Intermediate rail 44 Upper lip 44a Lower lip  44b Drain  44c Adapter bracket 45 Top rail 46 Pan 47 Pantop lip  47a Pan bottom lip  47b Cap 48 Guide  48a Wing  48b Nutrientdelivery system 50 Channel 51 Guide 52 Mast 53 Nutrient supply outlet 53a Motor 54 Coupler 55 Base member 56 Sensor 57 Light support 60Extension 61 Distal tab  61a Keeper 62 Motor 63 Bar 64 Spool 66Connector 68 Safety lock 70 Latch 72 Actuator 74 Light system 80 Supportframe  80a Void  80b Air conduit 81 Panel 82 Light source 83 Top bar 84Light cover 85 Electronics 86 Collection member 90 Trolley 100  Trolleybase 102  Trolley upright 104  Trolley wheel 106  Track wheel 106aBefore the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment orcombination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsand the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previousand following description.

A first illustrative embodiment of a growing system 10 and plant supportstructure 14 is shown in perspective in FIG. 1, wherein a plurality ofgrow boards 12 are shown engaged with a board frame 40. It isanticipated that in an aspect of a growing system 10 disclosed andclaimed herein is that it may be used in agriculture. For example, thegrowing system 10 may be incorporated with various aeroponic agriculturesystems, including but not limited to the various apparatuses andmethods disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/914,243, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Accordingly, theboard frame 40 may be configured such that a plurality of grow boards 12may be simultaneously engaged with the board frame 40. Withoutlimitation, the specific grow board 12 used with any embodiment of agrowing system 10 may be any suitable grow board 12 for the particularapplication of the growing system 10, including but not limited to thosedisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/752,462, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Generally, it is contemplated that in an aspect of a growing system 10 aplurality of plants may be positioned adjacent one or more grow boards12 such that a nutrient delivery system 50 may provide nutrient supplyto a root portion of the plants from an interior side of the grow board12. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a light system 80 and/orventilation system may provide light and/or carbon dioxide to aleaf/stem portion of the plants from an exterior side of the grow board12. Generally, as used herein, the terms “interior side,” “interiorsurface,” “interior chamber,” and “interior” of a growing system 10 orcomponent thereof may constitute the surface generally facing the rootportion of a plant, which generally may be between adjacent uprights 41from the vantage shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, and the terms “exterior side,”“exterior surface,” “exterior chamber,” and “exterior” of a growingsystem 10 or component thereof may constitute the surface generallyfacing the portion of the plant other than the roots thereof, whichgenerally may be outside adjacent uprights 41 from the vantage shown inFIGS. 4 and 12. In many applications the interior of a growing system 10or component thereof may be oriented toward a nutrient supply and/ornutrient delivery system 50, and an exterior of a growing system 10 orcomponent thereof may be oriented away from a nutrient supply and/ornutrient delivery system 50.

An aspect of a nutrient delivery system 50 may include a guide 52 alongwhich one or more base members 56 may travel, wherein a coupler 55 mayengage one base member 56 with another, as shown in FIGS. 6 & 7. A motor54 may be employed to provide the motive force to one or more basemembers 56. A nutrient supply outlet 53 a may be engaged with one ormore of the base members 56 via a mast 53, which mast 53 may beconfigured as a generally vertical pipe and/or tube having various spraynozzles thereon. The rightmost plant support structure 14 shown in FIG.23A is depicted having a mast 53 and various nutrient supply outlets 53a positioned along the height of the mast 53. Generally, in an aspectall or a portion of the nutrient supply outlet 53 a may be configured asa nozzle. However, other nutrient supply outlets 53 a and/or nutrientdelivery systems 50 may be used with the growing system 10 disclosedherein, and the specific nutrient delivery system 50, structures, and/ormethods employed to deliver nutrient supply to a plant in no way limitsthe scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the followingclaims. Only the rightmost plant support structure 14 in FIG. 23A isshown with a nutrient delivery system 50 having a nutrient supply outlet53 a for purposes of clarity. However, it is contemplated that eachplant support structure 14 may employ a corresponding nutrient deliverysystem 50 on the interior thereof, and that each nutrient deliverysystem 50 may be comprised of at least one nutrient supply outlet 53 awithout limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.

Generally, it is contemplated that it may be advantageous for a nutrientdelivery system 50 to be configured so that a given nozzle and/ornutrient supply outlet 53 a may provide nutrient supply to an areagreater than the spray pattern of that given nozzle and/or nutrientsupply outlet 53 a. Such configurations may include, but are not limitedto, horizontally moving masts 53, spray bars, nozzles, and/or nutrientsupply outlets 53 a, vertically moving masts 53, spray bars, nozzles,and/or nutrient supply outlets 53 a, moving plant support structuresand/or portions thereof, moving splash and/or deflector plates, and/orcombinations thereof. For example, FIG. 19A shows various aspects of anutrient delivery system 50 employing a vertically moveable nozzle(s),whereas FIG. 19B shows various aspects of a nutrient delivery system 50employing a vertically moveable splash plate. In an aspect, the splashplate may serve to reduce the particle size of the nutrient supply to asuitable size for optimal plant growth. Other such methods andstructures are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/914,243,and will therefore not be described in further detail herein forpurposes of brevity.

One aspect of a growing system 10 may include at least one foot 20 toprovide a structural base for various components of the growing system10, which may generally include a plant support structure 14. In anaspect of a foot 20, the foot 20 may include a base 22 with two angledmembers 24 extending therefrom, and corresponding upright members 25extending from the respective angled members 24, which is shown clearlyat least in FIGS. 4 & 5. Such a configuration may reduce the actualfloor space required for a growing system 10 and may provide an openspace having a predetermined height from the floor adjacent either sideof the growing system 10. In a configuration wherein multiple growingsystems 10 are positioned adjacent one another in rows, thisconfiguration may allow a vehicle designed traverse the space betweenrows (which space between rows of growing systems 10 may be referred toherein as aisles 16) to have a wider wheelbase than may otherwise bepossible.

One or more trays 30 may be engaged with a foot 20 and/or adjacent feet20 directly and/or via one or more adapter brackets 45. A tray 30 may beformed with two side panes 36 angled downward to a central trough 32.The low end of the trough 32 may be formed with an aperture 32 atherein, as shown clearly at least in FIGS. 5 & 6. A lip 34 may beformed around the periphery of the tray 30. Nutrient supply not absorbedby the plants may drain into the trays 30 and flow via gravity to theaperture 32 a, which may be in fluid communication with a collectionmember 90 (one aspect of which may be formed as a tube). A singlegrowing system 10 and/or plant support structure 14 may be formed with aplurality of trays 30 each draining into a common collection member 90.Each tray 30 may be similarly angled to provide a gravity drain, asshown at least in FIGS. 1 & 2. Using a plurality of trays 30 along thelength of the growing system 10 and/or plant support structure 14 mayrequire less of a total vertical difference between the high end of atray 30 and the low end thereof than if a single long tray 30 is used.

From the collection member 90, the nutrient supply may befiltered/treated/adjusted and/or recycled to the nutrient deliverysystem 50. One or more growing systems 10 may share a common collectionmember 90 without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims, or each growing system 10 may have a dedicated collection member90. Accordingly, other collection members 90 may be used with thegrowing system 10 disclosed herein, and the specific collection member90, structures, and/or methods employed to collect, recycle, treat,and/or adjust nutrient supply in no way limits the scope of the presentdisclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. Various suchmethods and structures are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/914,243, and will therefore not be described in further detail hereinfor purposes of brevity.

In one aspect of a board frame 40, an upright 41 may extend from eachupright member 25 of a foot 20 in a generally vertically angleddirection such that corresponding uprights 41 may form an acute anglewith respect to one another. The bottom end of each upright 41 may beengaged with the distal end of each upright member 25 and/or an adapterbracket 45 engaged with each upright member 41. Additionally, a crossmember 43 may be engaged with either upright member 25 on a foot 20 asshown at least in FIG. 7. A bottom rail 42 may extend from the bottomend of one upright 41 to the bottom end of the adjacent upright 41. Thebottom rail 42 may at least serve to support one or more grow boards 12as discussed in further detail below. An intermediate rail 44 may extendfrom a position between the two ends of one upright 41 to acorresponding position on an adjacent upright 41. The intermediate rail44 may at least serve to support one or more grow boards 12 as discussedin further detail below. A top rail 46 may extend from the top end ofone upright 41 to the top end of an adjacent upright 41.

As shown at least in FIGS. 8 & 9, the rails 42, 44, 46 may be formedwith an upper lip 44 a and a lower lip 44 b. The lips 44 a, 44 b may beconfigured such that nutrient supply directed toward the interiorsurface of a grow board 12 does not reach the exterior surface of thegrow board 12, or such that a reduced portion of the nutrient supplyreaches the exterior surface of the grow board 12. In an aspect of sucha configuration, the upper lip 44 a may extend beyond the lower edge ofa grow board 12 positioned adjacent the upper lip 44 a and the lower lip44 b may be configured such that a flap on the upper edge of a growboard 12 positioned adjacent the lower lip 44 b fits over a portion ofthe lower lip 44 b. This configuration may allow the grow board 12 to besupported by the lower lip 44 b via the engagement between the lower lip44 b and the upper edge of a grow board 12 (e.g., the grow board 12 mayhang from the lower lip 44 b and a bottom portion of the grow board 12may rest against the upper lip 44 a). However, any suitable structureand/or method designed to mitigate and/or prevent nutrient supply frompassing from the interior surface of a grow board 12 to the exteriorsurface thereof may be used with the growing system 10 withoutlimitation unless so indicated in the following claims, as may anysuitable structure and/or method designed to support one or more growboards 12.

The various elements of a foot 20, tray 30, and/or board frame 40 may beseparately formed and later engaged with one another, via, for example,mechanical fasteners, chemical adhesives, and/or combinations thereofwithout limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.Alternatively, some and/or all of the elements may be integrally formedwith one another without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims. These elements may be constructed of any material suitable forthe particular application thereof, including but not limited topolymers, plastics, metals and their alloys, natural materials, and/orcombinations thereof. The various elements of a foot 20, tray 30, and/orboard frame 40 may be configured to provide a system with apredetermined load-bearing capacity for support of one or more growboards 12 having a plurality of plants positioned thereon of variousweights. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is in no waylimited by specific weight, capacity, and/or size of any of the elementsof the growing system 10 unless so indicated in the following claims.

In an aspect of the growing system 10, a light support 60 may be engagedwith the board frame 40 adjacent the upper ends of the uprights 41.Generally, the light support 60 may serve to support, move, and/oradjust one or more light systems 80 and/or air conduits 81. Referringspecifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, an aspect of a light support system 60may include one or more extensions 61 extending upward from the boardframe 40 at an angle with respect thereto. The distal end of eachextension may be configured as a distal tab 61 a. A keeper 62 may beengaged with one or more distal tabs 61 a along a specific length of thelight support 60. In an aspect, a keeper 62 may be configured with arotational bearing therein, but the scope of the present disclosure isnot so limited unless so indicated in the following claims.

A bar 64 may be pivotally engaged with one or more keepers 62 such thatthe bar 64 may rotate with respect to a keeper 62. A bar 64 may beengaged with a spool 66 such that the spool 66 may rotate with the bar64. A first end of a connector 68 may be engaged with the spool 66 and asecond end thereof may be engaged with a top bar 84 of a light system80. In an aspect, the connector 68 may be formed as a flexible cable,such that when the bar 64 rotates in a first direction, a portion of theconnector 68 wraps around the spool 66 and the light system 80 movesupward with respect to the board frame 40, and when the bar 64 rotatesin the opposite direction, a portion of the connector 68 unwraps fromthe spool 66 and the light system 80 moves downward with respect to theboard frame 40. In this manner, the light and/or air flow experienced byplants at different heights on a given plant support structure 14 may beadjustable.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, a safety lock 70 may be employedin a growing system 10 having a light system 80 that may move verticallywith respect to the board frame 40. An actuator 74 may be engaged withone of the extensions 61 at a first end of the actuator 74, and a secondend of the actuator 74 may be engaged with a latch 72 such that theactuator 74 may cause the latch 72 to prevent the light system 80 frommoving downward with respect to the board frame 40 through a mechanicalengagement between the latch 72 and a portion of the light system 80. Itis contemplated that a safety lock 70 may be configured such that thelatch 72 prevents downward movement of the light system 70 when one ormore persons are positioned under the light system 80, and/or otherpotentially dangerous situations (e.g., power outages). However, anysuitable structure and/or method may be used to prevent unwanteddownward movement of the light system 80 with respect to a board frame40 without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.

In other aspects of a plant support structure 14 shown in FIGS. 11-17B,the overall height of the plant support structure 14 may be variableand/or modular. As shown, multiple uprights 41 may be engaged with oneanother on either side of the plant support structure 14 via the top ofone upright 41 and an upright base 41 a configured adjacent the bottomof another upright 41. Accordingly, multiple uprights 41 may bevertically oriented/engaged with respect to one another.

The specific dimensions and/or configuration of the upright 41 may varyfrom one embodiment of the plant support structure 14 to the next, butit is contemplated that in some aspects it may be beneficial for theheight of an upright 41 to be approximately four feet, such that theplant support structure shown in FIGS. 11-13 may be approximately twelvefeet in height, and that shown in FIG. 14 may be approximately eightfeet in height. However, in other aspects of the plant support structure14, the height thereof may be different, greater, or less than thosepictured herein without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims. That is, one, two, three, or more uprights 41 may be stackedatop one another without limitation and independent of the height of theindividual uprights 41 unless so indicated in the following claims.Additionally, the specific dimensions and/or configuration of theupright base 41 and/or the engagement between the top end of a firstupright 41 and the upright base 41 a of a second upright 41 positionedabove the first upright 41 may vary. For example, in an aspect of theplant support structure 14 the position of the upright base 41 of afirst upright 41 positioned on top of a second upright 41 may be movedinward with respect to the second upright 41 so that the distancebetween corresponding uprights 41 on a higher tier may be less than thedistance between corresponding uprights 41 below those on a top tier.Such a configuration may improve light distribution if the growingsystem 10 is configured for use in a controlled environment utilizingsunlight. However, the scope of the present disclosure is in no waylimited by the relative dimensions of any components of the board frame40 with respect to one another unless so indicated in the followingclaims.

The plant support structure 14 may include one or more feet 20 adjacentthe base thereof along the length of the plant support structure 14 tosupport various elements of the plant support structure 14. The foot 20may be configured similarly to that shown in FIGS. 1-10, it may beconfigured as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, or it may be differentlyconfigured depending on the application of the plant support structure14. Accordingly, the specific dimensions, shape, orientation, and/orconfiguration of the structure for supporting a plant support structure14 in no way limits the scope of the present disclosure unless soindicated in the following claims.

One or more trays 30 as previously described for aspects of the growingsystem 10 pictured in FIGS. 1-10 may be positioned adjacent the feet 20.The trays 30 may be angled as previously described such that each tray30 drains into a collection member 90, also as previously described.Alternatively, other structures and/or methods may be used to ensurerun-off nutrient supply from the plant root zone is collected with aminimal amount passing from the interior surface of a grow board 12 tothe exterior surface thereof without limitation unless so indicated inthe following claims. Furthermore, the specific configuration of thetray 30 (e.g., the shape and dimensions of the trough 32, lip 34, sidepane 36, etc.) in no way limits the scope of the present disclosureunless so indicated in the following claims.

As previously described for the aspects of a growing system 10 shown inFIGS. 1-10, a nutrient delivery system 50 may be engaged with a portionof the plant support structure 14. In one embodiment, the nutrientdelivery system 50 may be configured in a manner similar to that aspreviously described. In another aspect of a nutrient delivery system50, the motor 54 may be oriented such that the axis of rotation of thepower delivery member of the motor 54 is vertical, which may providespace savings for certain applications of the plant support structure14.

It is contemplated that an aspect of the growing system may employ alight system 80. Depending on the height of the plant support structure14, it may be advantageous to configure the light system 80 such that itis moveable in the horizontal dimension. It is contemplated that thelight system 80 may move during use such that a light system 80 of agiven length may provide light to plants positioned on a plant supportstructure 14 of a greater length than the light system 80. However,hanging light systems 80 and/or other vertically moving light systems 80may be used without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims. Additionally, an air conduit 81 and/or an air supply mechanismmay be engaged with the light system 80 to provide air circulationand/or high-carbon-dioxide-concentration air to plants. One such aspectof a light system 80 is shown in FIG. 22 and described in further detailbelow. It is contemplated that a horizontally mobile light system 80 maybe positioned between two adjacent plant support structures 14 (and/orgrowing systems 10) oriented in rows, such that a single light supportsystem 80 may provide light to an exterior side of two adjacent plantsupport structures 14. One such light system 80 is shown in FIGS.23A-23C and described in further detail below.

The configuration of the plant support structure 14 may allow for moreeven light distribution along a specific height of upright 41 than inprior art configurations. For example, if the height of each upright 41is four feet, and the upright 41 positioned above another upright 41 isthe same dimensions and in the same vertically orientded plane, then theonly variation of light is along four feet of height even though theplant support structure 14 is eight feet high. In the prior art, aneight-foot-high plant support structure 14 would have incurred lightvariation along its entire height. Accordingly, an aspect of a growingsystem 10 shown in FIGS. 11-17B may allow for more even lightdistribution, and therefore more even plant growth when compared toprior art plant support structures 14. Additionally, the light system 80may be configured to mimic the shape of the plant support structure 14along its length. That is, the light system 80 may be configured suchthat certain light sources are horizontally misaligned from other lightsources such that each light source in a given light system 80 isapproximately the same distance from an upright 41 along the height ofthe upright 41. As shown in FIG. 12, this may require angling portionsof the light system 80 at angles equal or nearly equal to the angle ofeach upright 41.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17B, a pan 47 may be engaged with twointermediate rails 44 on adjacent uprights 41, wherein a first upright41 is positioned above a second upright 41. The intermediate rail 44 onthe first upright 41 may be positioned adjacent the bottom thereof(e.g., by the upright base 41 a). The intermediate rail 44 on the secondupright 41 may be positioned adjacent the top thereof. Accordingly, theintermediate rails 44 may be both vertically and horizontally displacedfrom one another. The intermediate rails 44 may be configured with anupper lip 44 a and a lower lip 44 b to prevent and/or mitigate egress ofnutrient supply from an area on the interior side of a grow board 12 toan area on the exterior side thereof. However, the intermediate railsmay be differently configured without limitation unless so indicated inthe following claims.

Referring specifically to FIG. 17B, an aspect of the pan 47 may includea pan top lip 47 a that may be configured to engage and exterior surfaceof the lower lip 44 b of the intermediate rail 44 positioned adjacentthe bottom of the first upright 41. The pan 47 may also include a panbottom lip 47 b that may be configured to engage an interior surface ofthe upper lip 44 a of the intermediate rail 44 positioned adjacent thetop of the second upright 41. Such a configuration prevents all ornearly all nutrient supply from leaking out of the interior chamber ofthe plant support structure 14 (i.e., from an area on the interiorsurface of a grow board 12 to an area on the exterior side thereof).

Each intermediate rail 44 may be formed with one or more drains 44 calong its length, which drains 44 c may be positioned adjacent theproximal end of each lower lip 44 b. This configuration, in combinationwith the pan 47, ensures that nutrient supply that may be positioned inan intermediate rail 44 above another grow board 12 can easily passthrough the drains 44 c in that intermediate rail 44 and down the pan 47and over the pan bottom lip 47 b and eventually to the tray 30 withoutpassing from the interior chamber of the plant support structure 14 tothe exterior thereof, and without contacting any plants other than thosefor which the nutrient supply was intended. Other configurations forintermediate rails 44 and/or pans 47 may be used to mitigate nutrientsupply moving from the interior of the plant support structure 14 to theexterior thereof, and/or to prevent overexposure to nutrient supply maybe used without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.Additionally, any structure and/or method designed to mitigate nutrientsupply moving from the interior of the plant support structure 14 to theexterior thereof, and/or to prevent over exposure to nutrient supply maybe used without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.

As shown, the grow board 12 may be engaged with the bottom lip 44 b ofan intermediate rail 44, such that the weight of the grow board 12 maybe largely supported by the intermediate rail 44. With reference to FIG.17B, a catch (not shown) may be molded into the top edge of the growboard 12 adjacent the channel shown engaged with the bottom lip 44 b toprevent unwanted disengagement between the grow board 12 and theintermediate rail 44. Additionally, the lateral edges of the grow board12 may be configured to overlap and/or mate with adjacent grow boards 12(e.g., in a shingling fashion, male-to-female fit, tongue and groove,etc.) such that the likelihood of nutrient supply passing from theinterior of the plant support structure 14 to the exterior between theside edges of adjacent grow boards 12 is mitigated and/or eliminated.

A detailed end view of various aspects of a board frame 40 near the cap48 is shown in FIG. 18. Generally, the cap 48 may be configured toengage the top portions of two adjacent uprights 41 to as to prevent ormitigate the egress of nutrient supply from the interior of the plantsupport structure 14 to the exterior thereof. The cap 48 may compriseone or more wings 48 b, which may be configured to extend downward pastthe top portion of an upright 41 and engage the upper lip 44 a of theuppermost intermediate rail 44. The wing 48 b may engage the upper lip44 a on the exterior surface thereof, or in another aspect the wing 48 bmay be configured to engage the upper lip 44 a on an interior surfacethereof.

In certain aspects of a nutrient delivery system 50, the nutrientdelivery system 50 may include one or more masts 53 (shown for thenutrient delivery system 50 pictured in FIG. 23A) extending upward fromone or more base members 56. One or more nozzles and/or nutrient supplyoutlets 53 a may be positioned along the length of the mast 53.Depending on the height of a mast 53, it may be desirable to mitigateunwanted bending and/or other movement of the mast 53 at a topmost,distal end of the mast 53. In such circumstances, the cap 48 maycomprise a guide 48 a on an interior surface of the cap 48. The guide 48a may be configured such that the topmost, distal end of a mast 53 mayslideably engage a slot formed in the guide 48 a. In an aspect, theguide 48 a may mitigate and/or prevent unwanted movement of the mast 53with respect to the board frame 40 in a first direction (e.g., adirection parallel to the width of a board frame 40) and allow movementof the mast 53 with respect to the board frame 40 in a second direction(e.g., in a direction parallel to the length of a board frame 40).

An end view of two plant support structures 14 (and/or growing systems10) positioned adjacent one another to form rows is shown in FIG. 20A.It is contemplated that such an arrangement may be an efficient use offloor space in a building (e.g., warehouse, greenhouse, etc.). Thisarrangement may allow for access between adjacent plant supportstructures 14 (via an aisle 16 formed between the adjacent plant supportstructures 14) for various tasks, including but not limited topositioning grow boards 12 on the plant support and/or removal of same,maintenance, providing light to plants, harvesting plants, and/orproviding air circulation to plants. In an aspect, the top ends ofadjacent uprights 41 between rows may be spaced from one another byapproximately 33 inches, but in other aspects the top ends of adjacentuprights 41 may be spaced from one another by greater than 34 inches andin still other aspects the top ends of adjacent uprights 41 may bespaced from one another by less than 33 inches without limitation unlessso indicated in the following claims.

Other aspects of a foot 20 and collection member 90 are shown in FIGS.20B-20E. It is contemplated that feet 20 so configured may be positionedalong the length of a plant support structure 14 in a manner similar tothat shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, & 14. However, other spacing and/orconfigurations of feet 20 may be used without limitation unless soindicated in the following claims. The foot 20 may be formed with a base22 having a an exterior surface that is substantially planar, and one ormore feet 20 and/or bases 22 thereof may be mechanically engaged withone another via one or more lateral members 28, which is clearly shownat least in FIG. 20E. The lateral members 28 may be engaged with a foot20 and/or base 22 via any suitable structure and/or method, includingbut not limited to mechanical fasteners, chemical adhesives, welding,and/or combinations thereof without limitation unless so indicated inthe following claims.

One or more tabs 21 may be angled with respect to a planar exteriorsurface of the foot 20. The tabs 21 may be configured such that one ormore upright bases 41 a may be engaged with the foot 20 at a tab 21. Thetabs 21 may also be configured such that one or more trays 30 may beengaged with the foot 20 at the tabs 21. Additionally, one or more tabs21 may be configured such that a portion of the nutrient delivery system50 (e.g., a channel 52 and/or a guide 52, etc.) may be engaged with oneor more feet 20 via one or more tabs 21. The engagement between a foot20 and upright 40, between a foot 20 and a tray 30, and/or between afoot 20 and/or a portion of the nutrient delivery system 50 may be viaany suitable structure and/or method, including but not limited tomechanical fasteners, chemical adhesives, welding, and/or combinationsthereof without limitation unless so indicated in the following claims.It an aspect, the foot 20 and/or base 22 may be integrally formed withthe tabs 21, and the foot 20 and/or base 22 may be cut from a plate ofmaterial (e.g., a metallic sheet) after which the tabs 21 may be bentwith respect to a planar exterior surface of the foot 20 and/or base 22.However, the scope of the present disclosure is in no way limited by thespecific fabrication method used for the foot 20 and/or any othercomponents of the plant support structure 14 and/or grow board 12 unlessso indicated in the following claims.

Still referring to FIG. 20E, a gutter 26 may be positioned betweenadjacent lateral members 28. The gutter 26 may be engaged with a firstfoot 20 at one end of the gutter 28 and with a second foot 20 at anotherend of the gutter 28. In an aspect of a gutter 28, the gutter 28 mayfunction as a type of collection member 90 for nutrient supply aspreviously described herein. That is, nutrient supply that runs off theroots of plants positioned on the plant support structure 14 may drainfrom trays 30 into a gutter 28, from where the nutrient supply may becleaned and/or otherwise treated and recycled to the nutrient deliverysystem 50. Additionally, the gutter 26 may be configured to allow aportion of a nutrient delivery system 50 to be positioned therein, whichmay eliminate the need for a guide 52 and/or other components of thenutrient delivery system 50. In such an aspect, one or more base members56 may be configured with wheels thereon such that the base members 56may move along the length of the gutter 26. One or more masts 53 may beengaged with each base member 56 as in other aspects of a growing systempreviously described herein.

An end view of a growing system 10 with a vertically moveable lightsystem 80 is shown in FIG. 21A, and FIG. 21B provides a detailed view ofa portion of the growing system 10 adjacent the interface of a foot 20and board frame 40. Referring specifically to FIG. 21A, the light system80 is shown in an aspect of an uppermost position of the light system 80and a lowermost position thereof. It is contemplated that moving thelight system 80 to the uppermost position may provide access to aisles16. The position of the light system 80 may be adjusted via any suitablemethod and/or structure without limitation unless so indicated in thefollowing claims. In an aspect, the light system 80 may be suspendedfrom the ceiling of a structure via one or more cables that may beconnected to a rotatable rod for lowering and/or raising the lightsystem 80. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limitedby the specific structure and/or method for moving the light system 80unless so indicated in the following claims.

Referring now to FIG. 21B, which provides a detailed view of a portionof a growing system 10 adjacent an interface between a foot 20 and aboard frame 40, a channel 51 and one or more sensors 57 may be engagedwith one or more feet 20. It is contemplated that the channel 51 may beconfigured to support and/or otherwise engage a fluid conduit (notshown) used to provide nutrient supply to the root zone of plantspositioned on the plant support structure 14 and/or other conduitrequired for a nutrient delivery system 50 (including but not limited toelectrical wiring and/or components). Such a channel 51 may beespecially useful in aspects of a nutrient delivery system 50 operatingin a reciprocating and/or otherwise moveable manner. Additionally, oneor more sensors 57 may be especially useful in a nutrient deliverysystem 50 so configured as a sensor 57 may be configured to cause amotor engaged with a portion of the nutrient delivery system 50 toreverse and/or otherwise control an aspect of the nutrient deliverysystem 50 and/or affect the operation thereof. Redundant sensors 57 maybe positioned adjacent one another in the event of failure.

A guide 52 may be configured to have a square cross-sectional shape andmay be angled as shown in FIG. 21B. In an aspect, the nutrient deliverysystem 50 may be configured such that one or more wheels may engage thevertices of the guide 52 oriented at the sides thereof. A coupler 55 mayextend along a portion of the length of a plant support structure 14 tomechanically engage one base 56 with another base 56 as previouslydescribed for other plant support structures 14.

A cross-sectional end view of a light system 80 employing an integratedair conduit 81 is shown in FIG. 22A and a side view thereof is shown inFIG. 22D. The air conduit 81 may be in fluid communication with a supplysource (not shown) for air, carbon dioxide, and/or air having arelatively high concentration of carbon dioxide. It is contemplated thatin an aspect such a supply source may be configured as an HVAC system,wherein various characteristics (including but not limited totemperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) of the air supply may becontrolled. In an aspect, the light system 80 may be configured suchthat the air conduit 81 is flanked on the top and bottom thereof by atop panel 82 and a bottom panel 82. However, other configurations may beused in accordance with the present disclosure without limitation unlessso indicated in the following claims. For example, in an aspect of alight system 80 employing one or more LED and/or metal halide lightsources 83, the air conduit 81 may positioned along one or more bordersof a panel 82. Each panel 82 may be configured with at least one lightsource 83, which light source 83 may partially or fully enclosed in alight cover 85. Electronics 86 in electrical communication with one ormore light sources 83 may be positioned at the bottom of the lightsystem 80. However, the position of the electronics 86 in communicationwith one or more light sources 83 in no way limits the scope of thepresent disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims.

A top view of the light system 80 from FIG. 22A is provided in FIG. 22B,wherein the light covers 85 and air conduit 81 have been removed forclarity. As shown, one or more light sources 83 may be engaged with asupport frame 80 a. A side view of the support frame 80 a from the lightsystem 80 shown in FIGS. 22A & 22B is shown in FIG. 22C. The supportframe 80 a may be configured with one or more voids 80 b therein toaccommodate one or more light sources 83 and/or to accommodate an airconduit 81 and/or portion thereof. The support frame 80 a may be engagedwith a top bar 84.

It is contemplated that a light system 80 configured such as that shownin FIGS. 22A-22D may provide light and increased air and/or carbondioxide flow to plants positioned adjacent the light system 80. An airand/or carbon dioxide source may be fluidly engaged with the air conduit81 such that air and/or carbon dioxide flow exits the air conduit 81 ina direction toward one or more plants positioned adjacent the lightsystem 80 via one or more apertures formed in the air conduit 81. Theoptimal air and/or carbon dioxide flow characteristics (e.g., pressure,velocity, volumetric flow rate, etc.) will vary at least depending onthe type of plant, and are therefore in no way limiting to the scope ofthe present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. Alight system 80 so configured may be moved vertically at variousintervals and/or at various times to provide equal average light and airand/or carbon dioxide flow to plants at various heights in a mannerillustrated by the configuration of a plant support structure 14 andlight system 80 shown in FIG. 21A.

An end view of three plant support structures 14 arranged in three rowsand three light systems 80 positioned adjacent the three plant supportstructures 14 (two of which light systems 80 are positioned in twocorresponding aisles 16) is shown in FIG. 23A. In an aspect of thegrowing system 10 shown in FIGS. 23A-23C, the light system 80 may beconfigured to move horizontally with respect to one or more plantsupport structures 14 within an aisle 16. Such a configuration may beespecially useful in growing systems 10 having plant support structures14 configured to have a relatively large height (e.g., including but notlimited to plant support structures 14 having more than two tiers ofuprights 41).

The light system 80 may be engaged with a trolley 100, wherein thetrolley may comprise a trolley upright 104 and a trolley base 102, whichtrolley is greater detail in FIGS. 23B & 23C. The trolley upright 104may extend upward from the trolley base 102. The trolley base 102 may beconfigured to move across a flooring structure via one or more trolleywheels 106. One of the trolley wheels 106 may be engaged with a trackwheel 106 a. A track 23 may be engaged with one or more feet 20 along alength of the plant support structure 14. The track wheel 106 a mayengage a portion of the track 23 such that the trolley 100 (andconsequently the light system 80) is prevented from moving laterallywithin an aisle 16 but is allowed to move along the length thereof.Other structures and/or methods may be used to prevent unwanted movementof a trolley 100 and/or light system 80 with respect to a plant supportstructure 14 without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims.

The light system 80 may be engaged with the trolley 100 at the trolleyupright 104. A trolley upright 104 may be configured as a vertical beam,wherein one trolley upright 104 may be positioned on either side of alight system 80. The light system 80 may comprise an integrated airconduit 81 as previously described for other aspects of a growing system10. It is contemplated that a light system 80 configured such as thatshown in FIGS. 23A-23C may provide light and increased air and/or carbondioxide flow to plants positioned adjacent the light system 80. An airand/or carbon dioxide source may be fluidly engaged with the air conduit81 such that air and/or carbon dioxide flow exits the air conduit 81 ina direction toward one or more plants positioned adjacent the lightsystem 80 via one or more apertures formed in the air conduit 81. Theoptimal air and/or carbon dioxide flow characteristics (e.g., pressure,velocity, volumetric flow rate, etc.) will vary at least depending onthe type of plant, and are therefore in no way limiting to the scope ofthe present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. Alight system 80 so configured may be moved horizontally at variousintervals and/or at various times to provide equal average light and airand/or carbon dioxide flow to plants at various positions along thelength of the plant support structure 14. In this manner, the length ofthe trolley 100 and/or light system 80 need not be equal to the lengthof the plant support structure 14. It is contemplated that the length ofthe trolley 100 and/or light system 80 may be less than that of theplant support structure 14, and further contemplated that in someapplications the length of the trolley 100 and/or light system 80 may beequal to half that of the plant support structure 14. However, the scopeof the present disclosure is in no way limited by the ratio of thelength of the trolley 100 and/or light system 80 with respect to theplant support structure 14 unless so indicated in the following claims.

It should be noted that the various growing systems 10, plant supportstructures 14, and/or board frames 40 disclosed herein may be configuredfor use with modular grow boards 12. That is, as previously stated, thegrowing system 10, plant support structure 14, and/or board frame 40 maybe configured such that a plurality of grow boards 12 may besimultaneously engaged with the board frame 40. Without limitation, thespecific grow board 12 used with any embodiment of a growing system 10may be any suitable grow board 12 for the particular application of thegrowing system 10, including but not limited to those disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/752,462.

Any shape, dimensions, and/or configuration of grow boards 12, plantsupport structures 14, feet 20, trays 30, board frames 40, uprights 41,intermediate rails 44, pans 47, nutrient delivery systems 50, lightsupports 60, light systems 80, collection members 90, and/or trolleys100 and/or components of any of the foregoing may be used within thescope of the present disclosure without limitation unless so indicatedin the following claims.

The materials used to construct the growing system 10 and variouselements and/or components thereof will vary depending on the specificapplication thereof, but it is contemplated that polymers, metals, metalalloys, natural materials, fibrous materials, and/or combinationsthereof may be especially useful for the growing system 10 in someapplications. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may beconstructed of any material known to those skilled in the art or laterdeveloped, which material is appropriate for the specific application ofthe present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure unless so indicated in the following claims. Itis contemplated that for certain applications it may be especiallyadvantageous to construct the foot 20, board frame 40, and/or trolley100 from metal and/or metallic alloys, and the trays 30, intermediaterails 44, pans 47, and/or other elements from plastic, polymers, and/orother synthetic materials. However, any suitable materials may be usedto construct any element of the present disclosure without limitationunless so indicated in the following claims.

Having described the preferred embodiments, other features of thepresent disclosure will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, aswill numerous modifications and alterations in the embodiments asillustrated herein, all of which may be achieved without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the methodsand embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrativepurposes only.

Any of the various features for the grow boards 12, plant supportstructures 14, feet 20, trays 30, board frames 40, uprights 41,intermediate rails 44, pans 47, nutrient delivery systems 50, lightsupports 60, light systems 80, collection members 90, and/or trolleys100 and/or components of any of the foregoing may be used alone or incombination with one another (depending on the compatibility of thefeatures) from one embodiment and/or aspect of the growing system 10 tothe next. Accordingly, an infinite number of variations of the growingsystem 10 exists. All of these different combinations constitute variousalternative aspects of the growing system 10. The embodiments describedherein explain the best modes known for practicing the growing system 10and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. Theclaims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted by the prior art. Modifications and/or substitutions ofone feature for another in no way limit the scope of the growing system10 and/or component thereof unless so indicated in the following claims.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to thespecific embodiments pictured and described herein, but are intended toapply to all similar apparatuses and methods for arranging, growing,and/or harvesting plants, and/or otherwise providing any of the featuresand/or advantages of any aspect of the present disclosure. Modificationsand alterations from the described embodiments will occur to thoseskilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of growing a plant, said methodcomprising: a. arranging a first plant support structure in a row,wherein said first plant support structure has a height, a width, and alength; b. arranging a second plant support structure in a second row,wherein said second plant support structure has a height, a width, and alength equal to said height, said width, and said length of said firstplant support structure, respectively, and wherein said first plantsupport structure is laterally spaced from said second plant supportstructure so as to create an aisle between said first and second plantsupport structures; c. positioning a trolley in said aisle, wherein saidtrolley is engaged with a light system, wherein said light system isattached to an air conduit, and wherein said light system comprises: i.a support frame having a height, a width, and a thickness, wherein suchsupport frame is substantially planar having a first surface and asecond surface such that said first surface opposes said second surface,wherein a void is formed in said support frame and passes from saidfirst surface to said second surface, wherein said air conduit isaffixed to said support frame; and, ii. a light source positioned insaid void, wherein said light source extends outward from said supportframe beyond both said first surface and said second surface to providelight to plants on either side of said aisle simultaneously and whereinsaid trolley and said light system are moveable with respect to saidfirst and second plant support structures along said lengths of saidplant support structures.
 2. The method according to claim 1 furthercomprising the step of moving said trolley along said lengths of saidplant support structures at a specific interval.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1 further comprising the step of directing a volumetric flow ofair to said first and said second plant support structures from said airconduit.
 4. A method of growing a plant, said method comprising: a.affixing an air conduit to a light system, wherein said light systemcomprises: i. a support frame having a height, a width, and a thickness,wherein such support frame is substantially planar having a firstsurface and a second surface such that said first surface opposes saidsecond surface, wherein a void is formed in said support frame andpasses from said first surface to said second surface, wherein said airconduit is affixed to said support frame; and, ii. a light sourcepositioned in said void, wherein said light source extends outward fromsaid support frame beyond both said first surface and said secondsurface such that light from said light source is directed from eitherside of the support frame simultaneously; b. arranging a first plantsupport structure in a row, wherein said first plant support structurehas a height, a width, and a length; c. arranging a second plant supportstructure in a row, wherein said second plant support structure has aheight, a width, and a length equal to said height, said width, and saidlength of said first plant support structure, respectively, and whereinsaid first plant support structure is laterally spaced from said secondplant support structure so as to create an aisle between said first andsecond plant support structures; d. positioning said air conduit andsaid light system in said aisle; and, e. moving said air conduit andsaid light system within said aisle at a specific interval.
 5. Themethod according to claim 4 further comprising the step of directing avolumetric flow of air to said first and said second plant supportstructures from said air conduit.
 6. The method according to claim 5wherein said air conduit is further defined as being in fluidcommunication with an HVAC system.
 7. The method according to claim 6wherein said light system further comprises a second light source,wherein said second light source is positioned above said air conduitand said light source is positioned below said air conduit.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7 wherein said light system further comprisinga first light cover on a first side of said light source and a secondlight cover on a second side of said light source, wherein said firstand second light covers are engaged with said support frame.
 9. Themethod according to claim 8 wherein said step of moving said air conduitand said light system is further defined as moving in a verticaldimension.
 10. The method according to claim 8 wherein said step ofmoving said air conduit and said light system is further defined asmoving in a horizontal dimension.
 11. The method according to claim 8further comprising a second light system, wherein said second lightsystem is positioned below said light system, and wherein said secondlight system comprises: a. a support frame having a void formed therein,wherein said air conduit is affixed to said support frame; and, b. alight source positioned in said void.
 12. The method according to claim8 wherein said first light system and said second light system arefurther defined as being engaged with a trolley.